Last War Air Squad Guide: Heroes, Formation, Skills, Gear & Strategy
2026-07-24
I built this Last War Air Squad Guide for players who want a strong team without wasting weeks of upgrades. I’ll cover the best heroes and formation. I’ll also explain which skills and gear deserve your resources. Then I’ll compare the full Air lineup with the 4+1 setup and break down the matchups you need to know. If you need more help planning your upgrades, check out the Last War Resource Guide.
Why Build an Air Squad?
Most players build Tanks first. That is exactly why Air squads are so useful. Aircraft heroes deal bonus damage to Tanks and can beat teams with more raw power. A well-built Last War Air squad also has strong back-row damage and excellent frontline protection. The main drawback is the cost. Several key heroes arrive late and need heavy investment. Air is not the easiest starting path for free-to-play players. It is still one of the best long-term choices if you upgrade it with patience. Just remember that Missile squads are its natural counter. 
Best Air Squad Formation and Hero Roles
A complete Air team uses Carlie, Lucius, DVA, Morrison, and Schuyler. Carlie and Lucius hold the front row. The other three attack from the back. Each hero has a clear purpose in the Last War Air lineup.
Carlie
Carlie is a frontline defender. Inferno Blaze damages every enemy and reduces the energy damage they deal. It also hits one back-row target and lowers its Attack.
Her passive reduces the energy damage she takes. It also lowers enemy basic-attack damage while she is alive. Carlie works best against teams that rely heavily on energy attacks. 
Lucius
Lucius is the team’s main protector. His tactical skill reduces the energy damage taken by the entire squad. This helps the back row survive large area attacks. 
His passive also reduces the damage taken by both frontline heroes. Lucius does more than keep himself alive. He makes Carlie harder to remove and gives the damage dealers more time to work.
DVA
DVA is the main carry. Steel Barrage hits every enemy at once. It also increases her Attack Speed based on the number of aircraft heroes in the squad. 
Her other attacks gain extra value from a full Air lineup. This is why DVA should receive your best offensive gear and most of your early skill resources. The longer she stays alive, the more pressure she puts on the entire enemy team.
Morrison
Morrison is the team’s physical damage dealer and Defense breaker. His tactical skill fires several shots at random enemies. Repeated hits lower the target’s Defense. 
That reduction helps the whole team deal more damage. Morrison is also useful when the enemy can handle energy attacks well. He gives the Air squad a physical threat that is harder to build against.
Schuyler
Schuyler specializes in attacking the back row. Her tactical skill deals heavy energy damage to one back-row enemy. It also has a chance to stun the target.
That stun can interrupt an enemy tactical skill and force it back into cooldown. The effect is not guaranteed. When it lands at the right moment, it can change the result of a close fight.
Skill and Gear Priorities
DVA should get your best offensive gear first. Give her the strongest railgun and data chip you own. Steel Barrage is her key skill. It hits the whole enemy team and boosts her attack speed when more aircraft heroes are present. Vortex Missile is the next skill to raise. Morrison also needs a railgun and data chip. Focus on Armor-Piercing Shot so he can lower enemy Defense. Carlie and Lucius need armor and radar. Upgrade Inferno Blaze and Energy Adaptation for Carlie. For Lucius, start with Night Spirit and then improve Silver Armor. Schuyler can use your second-best offensive gear. Her priority is Blast Frenzy due to its back-row targeting and stun chance. A good Last War Air build starts with DVA but still gives the frontline enough gear to stay alive.
Full Air Squad vs. 4+1 Formation
A full Air squad is the better choice against Tanks. It activates the full lineup bonus and improves DVA’s aircraft-based effects. That gives you more damage and better results in direct Tank matchups. The 4+1 formation replaces Carlie ( Air) with Murphy (Missle). It loses some Air synergy but gains more early damage reduction and physical protection. This setup can perform better against Missile or mixed teams. It is also very durable in battles that continue through several rounds. I would use the full Last War Air lineup when Tanks are the main threat. I would switch to Murphy when I need better protection from physical damage.
Matchups, Progression, and Common Mistakes
Air naturally beats Tanks and struggles against Missiles. That does not mean every battle follows the counter chart. Hero levels and gear can close a large power gap. Exclusive weapons matter too. DVA receives hers early and should be your first major investment. Carlie and Schuyler become easier to improve over time. Lucius and Morrison arrive later, so new players need a temporary lineup while waiting for them. The biggest mistake is spreading resources across too many heroes. Another is giving premium gear to every damage dealer while leaving the front row weak. A Last War Air squad only works when its carries have enough time to attack. Build DVA first. Keep Lucius and Carlie alive. Then improve Morrison and Schuyler as your resources allow.
Conclusion
An Air squad takes time to finish but the payoff is worth it. The full lineup is one of the best answers to the Tank-heavy meta. DVA brings the damage. Lucius and Carlie keep the team standing. Morrison and Schuyler pressure the enemy back row. I recommend building one hero at a time and switching between the full Air and 4+1 formations when the matchup calls for it. If you want to speed up your progress, visit the BuffBuff Last War top-up page.
Last War is a zombie survival and strategy game that mixes quick lane dodging combat with deep base planning.
